The role of regional food hubs in Indigenous communities: Wai´anae Food Hub at Kahumana Organic Farms

Authors

  • Dr. Saleh Azizi Fardkhales Department of Urban and Regional Planning at University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Dr. Christy Mello Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Hawaii West Oahu

Keywords:

Community food security, food hubs, alternative farmers, participatory action research, Hawaii.

Abstract

The concept of local level security has received much emphasis the last two decades especially by urban and regional planners. Despite an increased interest for food systems work, planners have been quicker to address residents’ access to food rather than food producers and sustainable food production. The food hub concept has been highlighted as an intervention in the local supply chain that can connect small farmers and local markets and help increase access to food for local resident. This research aims to bring new insights to the food hub concept, its ability to affect small farmers and Indigenous Peoples wellbeing along the supply chain as well as familiarize community planners with local food developments.

Based on participatory community research done with low-income and part-time food producers in Hawaii, this findings suggest that community food enterprises such as Kahumana Farm Hub can contribute to improved access of local food and reduced rural poverty while promoting food sovereignty and Hawaiian subsistence practices. The research presents grassroots policy consideration for supporting community oriented food hubs in Hawaii. Moreover, dual roles of the principal author’s involvement as a researcher and food hub practitioners is an example of how deliberative action combined with participatory indigenous research methods can be a model for just solutions based on the community’s inputs. Findings suggest that indigenous wellbeing and local food marketing can coexist and be supported by planners.

References

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Published

2020-10-20

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